S24 - Ep 4 - The Studio - Assistant Directing and Camera Ops

Executing a well-timed oner is hard. Building a whole show around long, continuous takes? That’s another level.

This week on Below the Line, Skid is joined by First Assistant Director Donald Murphy and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht to go behind the scenes of The Studio, the Apple TV+ comedy that blends big laughs with an ambitious visual style. Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the show follows the fictional chaos of Continental Studios — and brings that chaos to life through long takes, handheld choreography, and camera work that pulls the audience into the scene.

Topics include:

• Shooting single-camera, continuous-take scenes for nearly every episode
• How the “oner” for Episode 2 was planned, rehearsed, and executed with an eye towards golden hour
• Building camera choreography around comedy timing and live dialogue
• Collaborating with actors and stand-ins on complex blocking
• Stitching shots using natural movement, practical transitions, and VFX
• Pulling off production in real-world locations like the Las Vegas strip and the Golden Globes
• Utilizing crew members as additional “background” for added realism
• Managing on-set tone and morale with Seth Rogen’s laid-back leadership

Donald and Mark also reflect on how The Studio pulled off its most ambitious sequences — from passing a camera mid-shot between operators to filming in working casinos with minimal control. And yes, they name names: Martin Scorsese, Sarah Polley, Zac Efron, and Ron Howard all make appearances (on set and in the story).

🎧 Press play and go Below the Line on The Studio. For more, visit belowtheline.biz.